Apparatus for cooling hot bodies



1966 J. A. MARUSZEWSKI ETAL 3,

APPARATUS FOR COOLING HOT BODIES Filed March 2, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS A.MARUSZEWSKI E LARSEN TERENCE E. DANCY RONALD L. WIEGEL ATTORNEY Dec. 27, 1966 J MARUSZEWSKI ETAL 3,294,107

APPARATUS FOR COOLING HOT BODIES Filed March 2, 1964 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS JOSEPH A; MARUSZEWSKI CARL F. LARS'EN TERENCE E. DANCY RONALD L.W|EGEL ATTORNEY Dec. 27, 1966 J. A. MARUSZEWSKI ETAL 3,294,107

APPARATUS FOR COQLING HOT BODIES Filed March 2, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS JOSEPH A. MARUSZEWSKI CARL F. LARSEN TERENCE E. DANCY RONALD L. WIEGEL ATTORNEY United States Patent O 3,294,107 APPARATUS FOR COOLING HOT BODIES Joseph A. Maruszewski, Cleveland Ohio, Carl F. Larsen,

Canonsburg, Pa., Ronald L. Wiegel, Marquette, Mich.,

and Terence E. Dancy, Bethel Park, Pa., assignors to Jones & Laughlin Steel Company, Pittsburgh, Pa., a

corporation of Pennsylvania Filed Mar. 2, 1964, Ser. No. 348,548 8 Claims. (Cl. 137-124) This invention relates to apparatus for cooling hot bodies. It is more particularly concerned with apparatus for rapidly cooling traveling metal strip. Our apparatus is described hereinafter with reference to the cooling of hot steel strip with water, but it is also suitable for the cooling of other bodies with other cooling liquids.

In the hot rolling of steel strip it is common practice to direct the strip from the delivery stand of the mill onto a runout table of considerable length. Sprays of water are projected onto both upper and lower surfaces of the strip to cool or quench it as it travels along the table. The sprays above the strip must be spaced therefrom a distance suflicient to allow for buckling or cobbling of the strip and to permit maintenance of the table rolls and associated apparatus. It has been found that the cooling effect of water discharged from outlets so spaced above the strip is greatly increased if the Water is discharged as relatively non-tuburlent streams. Apparatus designed for that purpose is disclosed in United States Patent 3,025,865, issued to I. N. Adcock on March 20, 1962. The apparatus of that patent employs siphons which operate at atmospheric pressure and so require an appreciable time to fill when the water supply to the apparatus is turned on, and an appreciable time to empty when the water supply is shut off. For certain purposes, this time lag is undesirable.

It is an object of our invention, therefore, to provide apparatus for directing cooling fluid onto hot bodies as relatively non-turbulent streams which is adapted for rapid starting and stopping of the liquid flow. It is another object to provide such apparatus adapted for op eration at superatmospheric pressures to bring about more rapid startup of the liquid flow. It is another object to provide such apparatus in which the pressure at which cooling liquid is delivered is adjustable. It is another object to provide such apparatus which can be rapidly swung away from the cooling bed when required. Other objects of our invention will appear in the description thereof which follows.

An embodiment of our invention presently preferred by us is illustrated in the attached figures to which ref- FIGURE 3 is a side elevation of the apparatus of FIG- URE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a cross section through a feeder pipe of the apparatus of FIGURE 1 taken on the plane 4-4.

FIGURE 5 is a cross section through the plenum chamber of our apparatus taken on the plane 5-5 of FIG- URE 1.

FIGURE 6 is a cross section through a portion of the apparatus of FIGURE 5 taken on the plane 6-6.

FIGURE 7 is a cross section through another portion of the appaartus of FIGURE 5 taken on the plane 77.

FIGURE 8 is another view of a portion of our apparatus, partly in cross section, on the same plane as FIG- URE 5, but showing our adjustable weir in its extreme low position.

, 3,294,107 Patented Dec. 27, 1966 The strip 1 coming from a hot strip mill is caused to pass over an elongated runout table, designated generally by reference character 2, comprising the conventional assembly of parallel rolls 3-3 arranged with their axes horizontal. Each roll 3 is conventionally driven by a motor 7. Below the strip 1, and interspersed between successive rolls 3, are spray assemblies, designated generally by reference character 4, one of which is illustrated in detail in FIGURE 2. Spray assembly 4, which is designed to spray water onto the underside of strip 1 is con- ,ventional, and will not be further described here.

Apparatus for discharging water onto the top surface of strip 1 is carried by uprights 5-5 which are positioned alongside runout table 2. At an elevation substantially above the level of table 2, cross members 66 are connected between uprights 5-5 to form supports for a plenum chamber 8 which is cylindrical in shape, and is positioned with its axis parallel to the long axis of table 2. From plenum chamber 8 a pair of spaced elbows 9-9 project horizontally toward runout table 2 with their outer ends turned to face each other. Each elbow 9 at its outer end connects with a rotary union 10 and between the other ends of the unions 10-10 is positioned a header chamber 11 which is also of cylindrical shape with its axis parallel to the long axis of table 2.

Cross members 66 are connected by parallel members 14 and 15 which extend parallel to the runout table 2, and are spaced from each other. On those members is mounted a motor 16 with its drive shaft parallel to runout table 2. Its drive shaft carries a pinion 17. Header 11 is journaled in bearings 12-12, and is fitted with a ring gear 13. A chain 18 is trained around ring gear 13 and pinion 17 so that header 11 can be rotated about its axis by motor 16.

Header 11 is provided with a plurality of feeder pipes 20-20 which extend at right angles from its over runout table 2. The outer ends of feeder pipes 20-20 are closed and are connected by an elongated structural member 21 which braces the feeder pipe assembly. The inner ends of feeder pipes 20-20 are likewise connected by a brace 23. Each feeder pipe 20 is provided with a plurality of siphon delivery pipes 22 which are spaced from each other along its length and open flush out of the top surface thereof. The siphon delivery pipes 22-22 are of inverted U-shape, and are of substantially smaller diameter than feeder pipes 20-20.

Each elbow 9 is provided with a valve 24 positioned between plenum chamber 8 and rotary union 10. Each valve 24 is provided with motor driving mechanism 25. Plenum chamber 8 is provided with filler pipes 26-26 which are connected through main 39 to a source of cooling water under pressure, not shown. Plenum chamber 8 is also provided with overflow pipes 27-27 which empty into an open trench or drain 48.. Each pipe 27 is fitted with a valve 28 positioned below plenum chamber 8. Each valve 28 is provided with a motor operating mechanism 29. The overflow pipes 2727 are of the same diameter as the inlet pipes 26-26.

Overflow pipe 27 opens out of the lower wall of plenum chamber 8 and does not extend inside that cham'ber. Overflow pipe 27 is fitted with an adjustable weir assembly, designated generally by reference character 30. This weir mechanism comprises an open ended cylindrical section 31 which telescopes within pipe 27 and extends into plenum chamber 8 a distance which can be adjusted from ouside of that chamber. Cylindrical section 31 is fitted near its upper end with a spider 32 having a threaded hub 33. A threaded screw 34 passes through threaded hub 33 and extends outwardly through the upper wall of plenum chamber 8 by way of a fitting, designated generally by reference character 35. Fitting 35 has a removable cover plate 36 and an external sleeve 37 through which an unthreaded portion of screw 34 extends, terminating in a squared end 38. Between diametrically opposite wall portions of fitting 35 and the inner end of overflow pipe 27 extend a pair of parallel channels 4040. Spider 32 is provided with a pair of diametrically projecting keys 41-41 which fit in channels 4040 and prevent spider 32 from rotating but allow it to move axially of screw 34 when that screw is turned.

Screw 34 is provided with a pair of lock nuts 43 near its upper end to limit the upward movement of weir section 31, and at its lower end with a similar pair of lock nuts 44 to limit the downward movement of that section. At a location intermediate lock nuts 43 and squared end 38 screw 34 is fitted with a collar 45 which bears against the underside of cover plate 36 and prevents screw 34 from being pulled out of fitting 35, Just below squared end 38 screw 34 is fitted with a removable collar 46 which holds the screw in place in external sleeve 37. A set screw 47 in external sleeve 37 is used to lock screw 34 in any desired position.

Header chamber 11 is larger in diameter than feeder pipes 2020 and header 11 and the siphon delivery tubes 2222 are dimensioned and positioned relative to each other so that the upper wall of header chamber 11 is elevated above the top of the U-bend of each siphon tube 22. It is always possible, therefore, to maintain a water level in header chamber 11 suflicient to fill siphon delivery tubes 2222 by gravity flow. Plenum chamber 8 is of larger diameter than header chamber 11 and those chambers are positioned so that the upper wall of chamber 8 is elevated above the upper wall of header 11. It is always possible, therefore, to fill header 11 from plenum chamber 8 by gravity flow.

The operation of our invention will be described in connection with the presently preferred embodiment here described and illustrated. Plenum chamber 8 is filled by water under pressure in main 39 which rises through inlet pipes 2626. As long as valves 2828 are open, the water level in plenum chamber 8 is determined by the setting of adjustable weir assembly 30. That adjustment is made by applying a wrench to the squared end 38 of screw 34 and rotating the screw in one direction or the other. Rotation of screw 34 causes weir section 31 to telescope into or emerge from pipe 27. Assembly 30 is set to maintain a water level above the tops of the U- bends of siphon delivery tubes 2222. Under those conditions, water will flow from siphon delivery tubes 2222 as long as valves 2424 are open. When those valves are closed, the siphon delivery tubes 2222 will deliver water only as long as feeder pipes 2020 remain full of water. As soon as the water level in those feeder pipes falls below the siphon tube inlets, which are flush with the inner surface of the upper wall of feeder pipes 2020, the siphon tubes cease delivering water. Our apparatus, therefore, provides for rapid cutoff of the cooling water streams.

We close valves 28-28 when we close valves 2424 to avoid waste of water which otherwise would occur through pipes 2727 to drain 48. When valves 28-28 are closed, the weir assemblies 3030 no longer limit the water level in plenum chamber 8, and the continued inflow of water through inlet pipes 26-26 fills chamber 8 to the level permitted by the air trapped therein. This compressed air assists in providing rapid start-up of cooling water flow when cooling is desired, as will be shown.

Rapid initiation of cooling water flow is obtained by opening valves 2424. The air compressed in plenum chamber 8 assists the pressure of water from inlet pipes 26-26 in forcing the water out through feeder pipes 20-20 and siphon delivery tubes 2222. After valves 2424 have been opened, we open valves 28--28 so that the delivery pressure of the water thereafter will be determined by the setting of weir assemblies 30--30' as we have described. We have said that overflow pipes 2727 are the same size as inlet pipes 26-26. In normal operation of our apparatus, most of the water entering plenum chamber 8 flows out into header 11 and from there onto the strip to be cooled, A minor amount of the water flows over the weir assemblies 3030' and down the overflow pipes 2727 so that those pipes are not full of water. As drain 48 is open to the atmosphere, plenum chamber 8 is normally vented to the atmosphere through overflow pipes 2727.-

We claim:

1. Apparatus for supplying liquid comprising a closed plenum chamber having an inlet pipe, a discharge opening and an overflow pipe provided with adjustable weir means adapted to vary the head of liquid above the discharge opening, a feeder pipe connected to the discharge opening and a siphon delivery pipe connected to the feeder pipe.

2. Apparatus of claim 1 in which the top of the siphon delivery pipe is positioned so that the siphon is caused to operate by flow of liquid from the plenum chamber.

3. Apparatus of claim 1 having a valve positioned to control the flow of liquid to the feeder pipe and a valve in the overflow pipe downstream of the adjustable weir means.

4. Apparatus of claim 1 in which the adjustable weir means comprise a length of pipe adapted to telescope within the overflow pipe extending above the overflow pipe within the plenum chamber, a nut fastened to the length of pipe and a screw threaded through the nut and extending through the Wall of the plenum chamber opposite the overflow pipe adapted to be turned from outside the, plenum chamber.

5. Apparatus of claim 1 in which the plenum chamber is vented to the atmosphere through the overflow pipe.

6. Apparatus for supplying liquid comprising a source of liquid under pressure, a closed header chamber connected thereto through a valve, a closed feeder pipe connected to the headed chamber, and at least one siphon delivery pipe connected to the feeder pipe, the inlet end of each said siphon delivery pipe opening out of the uppermost wall of the feeder pipe and being substantially flush with the inside surface thereof.

7. Apparatus for supplying liquid comprising a closed plenum chamber having an inlet pipe, at discharge pipe, and an overflow pipe provided with adjustable weir means adapted to vary the head of liquid above the discharge pipe, a closed header chamber connected to the discharge pipe, and positioned so as to be maintained full of liquid by gravity flow from the plenum chamber, a closed feeder pipe connected to the header chamber and a siphon delivery pipe connected to the feeded pipe, the inlet end of the siphon delivery pipe Opening out of the uppermost wall of the feeder pipe, the top of the siphon being positioned so that the siphon is caused to operate by flow of liquid from the header chamber.

8. Apparatus of claim 7 in which the header chamber is an elongated pipe rotatably connected at one end to the discharge pipe, and including means for rotating the header pipe about its axis so as to elevate the siphon delivery pipes above the level of the weir means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 853,705 5/1907 Linderl berg 137l28 988,826 4/1911 Scott 137--134 1,965,322 7/1934 Steen 137-441 X 2,536,921 1/1951 Duke 13744l X 2,625,175 1/1953 Wilson 137-577 3,025,865 3/1962 Adcock 134122 M. CARY NELSON, Primary Examiner.

GEORGE J. NORTH, Examiner.

E. FEIN, Assistant Examiner. 

6. APPARATUS FOR SUPPLYING LIQUID COMPRISING A SOURCE OF LIQUID UNDER PRESSURE, A CLOSED HEADER CHAMBER CONNECTED THERETO THROUGH A VALVE, A CLOSED FEEDER PIPE CONNECTED TO THE HEADED CHAMBER, AND AT LEAST ONE SIPHON DELIVERY PIPE CONNECTED TO THE FEEDER PIPE, THE INLET END OF EACH SAID SIPHON DELIVERY PIPE OPENING OUT OF THE UPPER- 